‘Mateo?’
‘I’m trying to decide who to place in my cabinet of ministers,’ he said at last. ‘When a new king ascends to the throne, it is his privilege and right to choose his own cabinet.’
‘Is it? That’s a lot of power to hand to one person.’
‘Indeed, but his choices must be ratified by sixty per cent of parliament, which helps to keep things balanced.’
‘So what’s the problem?’
Mateo gestured to the stack of files, each one containing information on potential ministers. ‘I don’t actually know any of these people. I’ve been away from Kallyria for too long.’ He could not keep the recrimination from his voice. This was his fault.
‘Then you can get to know them, surely.’ Rachel edged closer, so her hip was brushing Mateo’s hand. She leaned over so she could glance at the files, and gave him a delightful view down the front of her dressing gown.
‘I can, but it’s a matter of time. I need things settled and stabilised as quickly as possible.’ With what was surely a herculean effort, he dragged his gaze away from Rachel’s front.
‘You must have some top contenders.’ She reached for the first file, her narrowed gaze scanning it quickly. Mateo leaned back and watched her work, enjoying the sight—her hair spilling over her shoulders, her breasts nearly spilling out of her nightgown. He could practically hear her brain ticking over. Smart and sexy.
‘You’re looking at one of them.’
‘Mm.’ She continued to read the file before tossing it aside. ‘No.’
‘No?’ Mateo repeated in surprise. ‘Why not?’
‘Look at his voting pattern.’ She gestured to the third sheet of the file. ‘Entirely inconsistent. He can’t be trusted.’
Mateo leaned forward to glance at the relevant part of the document. ‘I wouldn’t say it’s entirely inconsistent. I think it was more of knowing which way the wind was blowing.’
‘You want people with principles. Otherwise they will be swayed—sometimes by you, and sometimes not.’
‘True,’ Mateo acknowledged. He realised how much he appreciated her input, and how much he was enjoying the sight of her. ‘What about the next one?’
Over the next few hours, they went through every single file, creating piles of yes, maybe, and definitely not. Mateo was grateful for Rachel’s input, and as they discussed the different candidates they fell into a familiar pattern of bouncing ideas off one another, along with the banter between them that he’d always enjoyed.
‘You just like him because he went to Cambridge,’ Rachel scoffed. ‘You are so biased.’
‘And you’re not?’
‘Of course not.’ She smiled at him, chocolate eyes glinting, and quite suddenly as well as quite absolutely, Mateo found he had to kiss her.
‘Come here,’ he said softly, and Rachel’s eyes widened as he reached for the sash of her robe and tugged on it.
‘I’m afraid that’s not going to do it,’ she said with a husky laugh. ‘Silk isn’t strong enough.’
‘But I am.’ He anchored his hands on her hips as he pulled her towards him—and she came, a little breathlessly, a little nervously, but she came.
Mateo settled her on his lap, enjoying the soft, silky armful of her. Her hair brushed his jaw as she placed her hands tentatively on his shoulders.
‘This feels a bit weird,’ she whispered.
He chuckled. ‘Good weird or bad weird?’
‘Oh, definitely good.’ Her anxious gaze scanned his face. ‘Don’t you think?’
‘I definitely think,’ Mateo murmured, ‘that we should stop talking.’
Rachel’s mouth snapped shut and Mateo angled his head so his lips were a breath away from hers. He could feel her tremble. ‘Don’t you think?’ he whispered.
‘Oh, um, yes.’